On November 6, 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL, to enhance the nation’s infrastructure and resilience. It authorizes funding to improve infrastructure and climate resiliency throughout the United States. Under the legislation, the Long Island Sound Study will receive $21.2 million per year over five federal years (2022–2026). The total of $106 million will fund local BIL initiatives to improve the environmental health, climate resiliency, and economic vitality of the Sound in an equitable manner.
The Long Island Sound Study Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Equity Strategy sets a program goal to deliver 40 percent of BIL investments and benefits to underserved and overburdened communities. The Equity Strategy is consistent with the Justice40 Initiative, a federal program to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to underserved and overburdened communities. The Equity Strategy defines criteria for identifying these communities in the Long Island Sound watershed, details key activities to support Justice40 goals, and provides a plan to engage with local stakeholders. It was approved by EPA Headquarters in summer 2023 and Long Island Sound Study staff will report on progress to meet these goals throughout the duration of BIL funding.
A brief description of each of the projects funded in Long Island Sound through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available on the BIL Projects web page. In addition, the Long Island Sound Study website has fact sheets highlighting projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the first year of funding. The fact sheets are available in the LISS media center.
For questions about the Long Island Sound Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Long Island Sound, please contact:
Subscribe to receive our e-newsletter, Sound Bytes by providing your email address. Interested in a free copy of our print newsletter, Sound Update? Then also provide your home/company/school address.